Daily Sitka Sentinel

December 11, 2017, Community Happenings

Chamber to Meet

Eric Brodell, Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation Western Region director, will address the Chamber of Commerce noon Wednesday at Westmark Sitka.

Brodell will discuss ‘‘How Tobacco 21 Affects the Retail Business Environment.’’ 

Brodell worked with the Tobacco 21 for Oregon Coalition to help pass Oregon’s statewide tobacco 21 law. 

Tobacco 21

Town Hall Set

Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation Western Region Director Eric Brodell will deliver a short presentation followed by a community conversation on raising the minimum legal sales age to buy tobacco from 19 to 21 Wednesday, Dec. 13.

The event, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., will be at the Sitka Public Library. The public is invited to attend.

DDF Students to

Support Businesses

Groups of Sitka High drama debate and forensics students will be caroling and playing music downtown noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 to support local businesses.

‘‘Please get out and shop local,’’ the students said.

Gibson Named

Student of Week

Freshman student Veronica Gibson is the Sitka High School Student of the Week.

Veronica enjoyed moving from the middle school into Sitka High and has found her classes to be “challenging, but not overwhelming.” Her favorites are math and her block class, which combines English and U.S. history.  

Veronica plays the piano, works tech for plays at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and creates art. She was excited to be accepted by the Rotary Club as a Rotary Exchange student for her sophomore year, even though it means being immersed in a culture where she may not speak the language fluently. Her family has hosted eight exchange students, so she says she is ready to be on the traveling side of the equation. 

Veronica’s advice for younger students: “Appreciate your teachers. They work really hard to try to help you learn as much as possible.”

Pot Not Allowed

In National Park

Sitka National Historical Park reminds the public that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration still considers marijuana to be a Schedule 1 drug, even in Alaska and other states where marijuana use has been legalized.

The possession or use of marijuana or any other illicit substance is illegal and prohibited on federal land. Public use of marijuana is still illegal under Alaska state law.

For more information, contact Chief Ranger Sean Brennan at 907-747-0127.  

Fiber Friends

Meet at Library

Fiber Friends will meet in the Gus Adams Room in Sitka Public Library, noon Saturday, Dec. 16. All weavers, spinners and dyers are welcome to take their projects to show and questions for discussion.

For additional information phone Alice at 747-3931.

At Saxan Art

Activity Dec. 16 

The Sheldon Jackson Museum invites youths to make Athabascan bow cases, also known as quivers, at the At Saxan Art Activity 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.

The event is part of At Saxan Third Saturdays, a free, family-friendly youth program scheduled every third Saturday of the month for ages 6-10 and their families.

The program is made possible with financial support from the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum.

To register or for more information call 747-8981. 

Herring is Topic

Of Open House

‘‘Caring for Herring: An Open House on the Board of Fish Process’’ will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Healing House, 429 Katlian Street.

Those concerned about herring conservation or subsistence harvest of herring eggs are invited to drop by for four minutes or four hours to learn about proposed changes to herring regulations in Sitka, the Board of Fisheries process, and how to participate.

The process depends on public comments – there will be computers and pen and paper to submit a comment online or write a letter. 

Help will be available for those needing a hand typing or writing a comment, or deciding what to say.

For more information contact Kyle Rosendale at kyle.rosendale@sitkatribe-nsn.gov. 

Author Mandel

Reading Dec. 13

Old Harbor Books will host author Greg Mandel 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Mandel is the author of “Trumpula: A Novel.” The event is free and open to the public; however, it is not suitable for children.